Utah has no limit on boron content in drinking water however, for irrigation purposes a limit of 750 μg B/L (0.75 mg/L) has been established. Whereas boron is suspected to be a necessary trace nutrient for proper plant and animal growth and development, higher concentrations of boron can be detrimental to living things, but the element is not known to be carcinogenic. Potassium will leach out of dormant forages, therefore it may be necessary to provide a mineral supplement that contains 1% K to remedy any deficiencies.Boron is a naturally occurring element that can be found in the strata and water of the Eocene Green River and Uinta Formations of the Uinta Basin of Utah. Through forage analysis, K levels are adequate in most of western South Dakota. As the K levels increase, the Na levels will need to increase equally. A 1300 lb cow will consume between 1 and 2 ounces of salt per day to meet requirements.Īs mentioned previously, K works with Na in the body to regulate osmotic pressure and transport nutrients in and out of cells. Sodium plays a role with K for nutrient transport into and out of cells and Cl is involved primarily in the production of hydrochloric acid in the abomasum (stomach) to aid in digestion. Sodium chloride (NaCl, salt) promotes water intake. Sodium and chlorine work together to maintain cellular volume, pH and osmolarity of body fluids. Cattle on pasture require 0.15% sulfur, but forages and water should be tested prior to adding sulfur to a mineral supplement. Symptoms include blindness, difficulty walking, muscle tremors, convulsions and ultimately death. Research conducted at the Cottonwood Range and Livestock Field Station shows that excess sulfates in water can cause polioencephalomalacia (PEM or polio) in cattle. There are multiple sources of S and some of these can result in toxicity, specifically high sulfate water in western South Dakota. Sulfur is necessary in the diet for the rumen microorganisms to form sulfur-containing amino acids. Sulfur is not typically thought to be necessary in mineral supplements, but conversely how it can cause toxicity. A high Mg mineral (8-13% Mg) should be provided to lactating cows two to four weeks prior to turn out on rapidly growing grass, to increase Mg intake to 0.25% of diet dry matter. Oftentimes these pastures have excess K, which inhibits Mg absorption in both the plant and animal. It is critical that cows receive sufficient Mg when they are lactating heavily, especially grazing lush, rapidly growing pastures. Magnesium plays a role in enzyme and nervous system function, as well as carbohydrate metabolism. Magnesium is required at 0.2% of the diet dry matter for lactating cows and only 0.12% for gestating cows. These requirements decrease in nonlactating cows. The Ca requirement for lactating cows is 0.27% and P is 0.23% of the diet dry matter. The requirements for Ca and P change with animal age and stage of production. The optimum Ca:P ratio based on extensive research is 1.5:1 to 2:1. It is relatively easy to meet the requirements for Ca and P, but there is also value in ensuring the proper Ca:P ratio. On the other hand, P can be deficient in these forages and supplemental P is generally needed in forage-based diets, but how much? The key is to sample and test forages to determine mineral content and select a mineral to meet the cow’s needs. In general, grazing cattle will have adequate Ca in forages, especially legumes such as alfalfa. In addition to their role in bone development, Ca is also important in muscle function and P plays key roles in metabolic functions throughout the body. These are the main mineral constituents in bone. Some of these minerals work together, while others work independently.Ĭalcium and P are two minerals that work hand in hand. These are calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and potassium (K). There are seven macro minerals that need to be analyzed and balanced within a cow’s diet. This article will focus on macro minerals. The macro minerals are required as a percent of the diet dry matter, while micro minerals or trace minerals are required in ppm (parts per million). Minerals are divided into two groups based on the quantity of the mineral required by the cow: macro minerals and micro minerals (trace minerals). There is value in analyzing your mineral program to determine if modifications need to be made to improve cattle health and performance. Without appropriate balance of minerals, cows may not perform as desired or could exhibit detrimental effects. Mineral nutrition is vital to overall cow performance.
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